I first met Tamera Alexander through ACFW – better known as American Christian Fiction Writers. We had a bit of brief correspondence and then one day, as I was praying about whom to approach to join my critique group, Tammy’s name came to mind. At the time Tammy was already a part of another critique group, but kind soul that she is, she willingly joined ours as well. I’m not really sure how she kept up with nine critique partners, but she did a great job whenever she could, helping us out, and we helped her in return. I had the privilege of being one of the first people to read her debut novel Rekindled, which is available in bookstores now.

Tammy lives with her husband, Joe, and their two teenagers in Colorado. Though she’s a native of Atlanta and loves her south, she’s developed a deep love for Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, and its rich history of events and people in the sixteen years they’ve lived there.

She is the Women’s Ministry Leader at their church and also sings on the praise team. She enjoys hiking the mountains, baking (the more chocolate, the better), reading, watching movies, and spending evenings at home with friends and family.

I’ve read a number of Tamera Alexander’s books in various stages of pre-publication. One thing that impresses me about Tammy’s writing is her flair for the descriptive and her attention to detail. Her debut novel, Rekindled is a story about second chances.

In a different time,
a different place,
under different circumstances…
could two people fall in love with each other again?

Ten years ago Kathryn Jennings made a vow. For better or worse. And it still holds true, regardless that her marriage is not what she expected. When her husband fails to return one stormy winter night, she struggles to keep their ranch solvent and the town’s water supply secure. After a shocking glimpse into her husband’s past, Kathryn uncovers the hidden truth. What she wouldn’t give to turn back time and be able to love her husband for the man that he was, not for the man she always wanted him to be.

Larson Jennings has spent his entire life running from a broken past. Unable to trust, reluctant to try again. One fateful night, his life takes an unexpected twist and he is forced to make a choice. Either way, it will cost him his life.

You can find Rekindled at Amazon or CBD (Christian Book Distributors). Check it out and then

buy this book!

and sit back for a captivating read!

I asked Tammy to give us some insight into the calling behind her writing ~

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Tammy: While I’ve always enjoyed writing and dabbled it in when I was younger, I never formally studied the craft until recent years. I first considered trying my hand at writing a novel in 1999. But I need to go back a bit farther to get to the “seed” of where this started for me.

In 1995, my mother-in-law, Claudette Harris Alexander, shared a book with me, one she thought I would really enjoy. I was busy and let time go by. She asked me again if I’d read it. I said no, but that I would! The best laid plans, good intentions, and all that… I never did read that little book. Very unexpectedly, Claudette died that same year from a brain aneurysm. Weeks passed, and as I was cleaning bookshelves downstairs, I happened across the volume and immediately sat down and read it. Claudette was right! I felt an instant connection with the thread of hope woven through that gentle love story—Love Comes Softly, by Janette Oke, published by Bethany House Publishers. That connection to Janette’s story sent me in search of more inspirational fiction published in the Christian market. I devoured book after book, and developed a strong interest in historical fiction.

A year or two later as my husband and I were driving back to Colorado from Texas late one night, I finished a novel, turned to Joe and said (only joking at the time), “I think I could write one of those.” Without blinking, he said, “Well, do it.” Competitive at heart, I nodded and said, “Well, okay!”

My first novel made it to the review board at Bethany House Publishers in 2002, after which I received a very nice rejection letter. That novel is now safely ensconced in my desk drawer—right where it should be! :) Writing that first story was a learning experience for me that I took to heart, then I immediately set about seriously studying this craft of writing. I joined American Christian Fiction Writers, a professional writer’s organization that helps train and equip Christian writers in the art and business of writing for publication. The knowledge I’ve gained through that organization, along with the relationships I’ve made there with other writers, have made all the difference!

In October 2004, Bethany House offered me my first contract, a three-book deal to write historical fiction. I feel blessed to be doing something that I love and pray that God might use my stories to draw others closer to Christ.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope to write in the future.

Tammy: As I mentioned above, I write historical fiction. That’s really where my heart is right now. I do have other stories (two in particular) that keep resurfacing. One is a contemporary/historical blend. But for now, I’m concentrating on historicals. If God ever opens a door for the other, I’ll happily follow His lead!

Jill: If and when did you realize your writing was a calling?

Tammy: Hmmm…that question, and phrasing in particular, always makes me pause because I don’t have a particular “ah ha” moment that I can point back to and say beyond a shadow of a doubt, “This is when I knew that I was supposed to write novels!” God revealed this to me slowly over the past several years. But it was only within the past couple of years that I can truly say I felt that calling confirmed, and encouraged. I’m currently writing Book 3 (title not approved yet) in the historical series entitled Fountain Creek Chronicles with Bethany, and while I hope there are more books in my future, only God knows that for sure. Something I’ve learned along this journey with Christ is that there’s nothing more miserable than being outside of God’s will for my life, and nothing more fabulous and fulfilling than being centered right in the midst of it. So that’s my goal—to find where God is leading me and follow Him. Even if it’s a path I might not have chosen for myself. Which nine times out of ten, it is. :)

Jill: When and how did you come to realize that writing meant more to you than a means to meet physical monetary needs or fulfill your dreams?

Tammy: Writing, and especially writing historicals with Bethany House, is definitely the fulfillment of a dream for me. But more importantly, writing is a means for me to take steps closer to Christ. It’s a form of worship, certainly, and my sincere wish is that when readers turn that final page of one of my books, they will also have taken a step closer to Christ along with me. On the “monetary” side of writing—a very small percentage of writers actually earn enough money to “make a living” at writing. I’m not one of those. LOL! Still waiting—and not holding my breath—for that major royalty check.

Jill: How would you say that God has used writing to change you – to strengthen your faith and to make you more like Christ? And what means did God use to confirm in your heart that this is exactly what He has prepared for you to do for Him?

Tammy: Writing is hard work, plain and simple. And I’m not a fast writer by any means. When I made the choice in college to major in business and not journalism or English or another field that might have taken me closer to writing, I was choosing a “safer” path for myself. Business management and marketing came more naturally to me, and not long ago I was given another opportunity to take that plunge back into the business sides of things. I wrote two dear friends one day, wondering what I should do, and as I wrote them, God revealed His direction for me through what I wrote I them: “…I know I can handle this new job opportunity. God simply taught me how to do that a long time ago. He hard-wired me for that sort of thing. But writing…writing takes me places I haven’t gone yet, and that aren’t nearly so familiar. Writing forces me off of auto-pilot and has me gripping the wheel with fear.”

It was then that I stopped, and read what I’d just written, and knew without a doubt that this (writing) was the path God wanted for me to take in my life right now because it was the “tougher” choice for me, if that makes sense. The harder path. To summarize, I’ll borrow a quote from Henry Blackaby and Claude V. King from their Experiencing God series that my husband and I did together years ago, “God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.” It will always lead to a crossroads that will mandate a choice. And in my experience, the tougher path is where the deepest treasure lies.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Tammy: Absolutely. One is the most obvious—in writing stories that allow me the opportunity to weave the hope we have in Christ into the character’s lives and struggles. As I mentioned before I’ve been involved in women’s ministries for years, and I love speaking to women’s groups. I’m especially thankful for the venues that writing is opening for me to do that more.

For a look at Tamera Alexander’s books and to sign up for her current contest (giving away five free copies of Rekindled on March 14th), you can visit her website here.

Coming in November 2006 is Revealed book two in the Fountain Creek Chronicles, Bethany House Historical Fiction. And in mid-year 2007 book three will finish the trilogy. Book three is currently untitled.

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with author Tamera Alexander. Please click on over to one of the above online stores or visit your favorite Christian bookstore and look for Rekindled. You won’t be disappointed!